Improvement in adjustable watch-keys



, M L GUTMANN Adjustable Watch-Key.

No.21L9 92.

Patented Feb. 4,1879.

19223722 00 7 W .2 F W fl N. PEI'ERS, PHQTuUTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. n c.

MAX L. GUTMANN, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN ADJUSTABLE WATCH-KEYS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 211,992, dated February 1, 1872); application liled December 16, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

15c it known that 1, MAX L. UU'rMANN, of the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have im'ented a certain new and useful Improvement in \Vatch- Keys 5, and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a central. vertical section of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectioninline a: w of Fig. 1, enlarged. Fig. 3 is a cross-section in line y y. Figs. at and 5 are views similar to Fig. 1, but on an enlarged scale, and representing respectively the key in its closed and its open positions. Fig. 6 is a view of the key proper, or the key-pipe, at right angles to the views of the same part in the other figures.

My improvement relates to that class of watch-keys which. may be opened or expanded to difl'erent widths to fit difi'erent-sized windin g-posts in watches.

The invention consists in an improved construction of the key-pipe, so that in the act of winding the watch the parts will bind closer together, thereby keeping in line also, in combination therewith, certain other parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings, A A represent the two parts forming the key-pipe. They are counterparts, and at the upper end, which forms the socket, they are halved together like a pair of blacksmiths tongs, so that they cross each other, as shown at a a. The lower ends are extended to form shanks b b, and are united at the bottom by a rivet, c, or by any other means; or the two parts AA may be made in a single piece, bent double to proper shape.

It will be seen that as the two parts I) b, formingthe shank, are pressed together, the socketpieces a a, forming the key-pipe, will be pressed apart or opened to fit any size of windingpost; and as said parts I) b are pressed apart the said socket-pieces will be closed; also, when the key-pipe is applied to the windingpost and turned to the right in winding the watch, the two parts a a, forming the keypipe, bind together by the twisting action,

and thereby keep the same in line and produce a binding action upon the post. This is owing to said parts crossing each other and being halved together, as before described, and is a distinguishing feature of my invention.

The device above described may be used by attaching the end of shanks b b to an ordinary thumb-piece of a watch-key, placing a small fiat spring between the parts of the shank, to throw them apart, and also passing a small pin through slots in the parts a a, in which case the device is similar to an ordinary watchrkey in form; but I prefer the fol- 10 wing arrangement.

B is an open-ended tube, in which rests a barrel, (3, closed at its bottom, but open at its top. A cross-pin, f, in the top of this barrel passes through the cleft between the shanks b I), and the top of said barrel rests against inclined shoulders (Z (Z of the socket-pieces a a, as shown.

The outer tube, 13, is connected with the lower end of shanks b b by another cross-pin, g, which passes through vertical slots h 71. of the barrel G, to allow the latter a degree of longitudinal movement in the outer tube. The device A A thus forms a permanent attachment with the outer tube, 13.

As the barrel 0 is moved up in the tube, its upper end, striking the inclined shoulders (I (I, forces the socket-pieces a a apart, and as said barrel moves down the cross-piece f between the shanks b b brings said socket-pieces together again.

A coiled spring, 7:, is inserted in the barrel 0, with a head, I, resting under the end of the shanks b b, which serves to throw the barrel down in the tube. 5

The upper end of the tube 13, in which the socket-pieces a a rest, is made square to fit said socket-pieces, and prevent strain or expansion of said parts in turning.

What I claim herein as new isl 1. In a watch-key, the key-pipe consisting of the two pieces A A, halved together at their upper ends, as described, so that they will bind together in the act of winding the watch, as specified.

2. The combination of the divided key-pipe In witness whereof I have hereunto signed A A, the tube 13, connected with the same by my name in the presence of two subscribing the cross-pin g, the barrel G, sliding in the witnesses.

tube and provided with the cross-pin f, rcst- MAX L. GUTMANN. ing between the parts of the key-pipe and Witnesses:

the spring 7.; in the barrel 0, as shown and de- R. F. OSGOOD,

scribed, and for the purpose specified. JACOB SPAHN. 

